All Turtles Message Board

Christina · Level 2 Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey

I'm thinking about purchasing a Pen-Plax Cascade canister 700 can someone show me pictures on how it gets set up I need to see pics from the filter to the aquarium. And how it gets cleaned. Thank you!

2turtles · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:11 am Post subject:

I can get some detailed pics of the hoses, connections, routing etc of my filters so you can get an idea of how this product works..

But I must finally confess what I believe is the largest negative issue related to these canister filters.

They 'can be' a PITA (excuse my acronym) to prime.

When you have an internal filter, you just plug it in and it works. No priming necessary

When using a hang on back filter, you just take a cup of water and pour it into the filter before plugging it in and viola! no problem...

But with a canister filter, you have to get water in the inlet and outlet hose and completely fill the canister before it will operate. If you follow the instructions E X A C T L Y, without assuming anything, without skipping ahead and without doing anything you may deem irrelevant to the process of priming the filter, it will work just fine. But if you miss one step, one word, anything - the filter will not function... I'm not saying it won't function adequately or properly - It will not function at all. Nada.. zippo..

So there are a few 'techniques' you must develop to get them running.

the easiest way is to get everything set up, then run your garden hose to the inlet, and let the whole system fill with water until it's coming out the outlet. Then quickly plug in the filter and you should be all set..

The Cascade brand comes with the ability to prime via suction - which works great as long as you don't lose the water in your inlet, and you have the canister full prior to plugging it in.

It's an acquired 'talent' IMO... and had caused much anger, and frustration until I figured out how to make it work.

I don't want to scare you off, just want to set your expectations appropriately. I have no idea if Fluval/Rena/etc canister filters have issues when priming.. hopefully someone will chime in with their experiences.
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1.0.0 Trachemys scripta scripta----1.0.1 Chrysemys picta picta
0.0.2 Emydura subglobosa subglobosa----0.0.1 Testudo hermanni boettgeri

Christina · Level 2 Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey

Okay u scared me off..LOL. Whew! Thank god I decided to go for the Cascade 300 hang on filter. I'm just kidding Laughing

. I ordered the hang on filter yesterday the 300 is good for up to 100 gal. w/ 350 gph.
Thanks for the advice 2turtles Cool

2turtles · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:36 am Post subject:

I think you will be happy with the results...

When are the pictures coming?!
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1.0.0 Trachemys scripta scripta----1.0.1 Chrysemys picta picta
0.0.2 Emydura subglobosa subglobosa----0.0.1 Testudo hermanni boettgeri

Christina · Level 2 Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey

I'm not getting my turtle until Sunday but once I set everything up I'll send pics once I learn how to post them Confused